Nick came into the room. “How is he doing?”
“No better. How did he get like this?”
“As the castle began to melt, mud demons appeared. They blocked Wills’ way into the castle, but he fought his way past.”
“I daresay the mud demons were trying to protect me. They would have done better to attack Aurora.” Samantha gave Nick a crooked grin. “By the way, I didn’t know you could sprout wings.”
He chuckled. “Neither did I. The wings were born out of desperation. I couldn’t swim across the water, so flying was the next thing that came to mind. The castle was coming apart so fast I was afraid I’d be too late to do any good.”
Mara and Julian appeared in the cottage doorway. Although Julian was leaning heavily on Mara, he was upright and alert. Nick rushed to help him into a chair.
Julian’s gaze fell to Wills. “Any change?”
“No,” Samantha said. “And I don’t know what else to do.”
Julian lifted the medallion from around his neck. “Let’s see if a little demon energy will help.”
Her brows drew together, but her fingers closed around the metal disk. “He’d hate the idea of drawing strength from this.” Despite her misgivings, she laid the medallion on the skin over Wills’ heart. “I’ll ask him for forgiveness later.”
Four sets of eyes stared at the prince, but he didn’t stir. Samantha sighed. “It was worth a try.” She glanced at Mara. “I was very sorry to hear about Blair.”
“Thank you. He was laid to rest this morning.”
“Does anyone how he was killed?” Julian asked.
“Aurora had begun to extend her reach toward Elturon and snow was everywhere,” Nick said. “Wills and Blair were heading for the Stairs of Tears when they were ambushed by her guardsmen. Blair had already been killed when I came upon them and Wills was fighting for his life.” He paused. “He’s really the most remarkable swordsman I’ve ever seen.”
Wills coughed. “You’re just saying that because it’s true.”
As spring continued to awaken life in the Kingdom of the Fae, Julian, Mara, Samantha, Nick, and Wills gathered around an open fire pit to destroy Aurora’s medallion. Wills tossed the metal disk into the center of the pit.
Nick scratched his head. “Are we really sure about this? The medallion can be used for good. Julian and Wills are proof of that.”
“Yes, but it can also be used for evil,” Julian said. “Now that we have the means to destroy it, we must.”
“It’s the only way we can be sure Aurora is truly gone,” Samantha said.
Julian nodded at Samantha. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. Perhaps you should all step back,” she said. “I really don’t know what will happen when the demon energy is released.”
Everyone except for Wills backed away several yards.
“You, too, Wills,” she said. “Your parents will be expecting you to arrive home in one piece.”
He came to stand beside her. “After everything that has happened, I’ll take my chances.”
She focused her attention on the medallion, cleared her mind, and mustered a white-hot demon fire. The metal began to glow, and its edges softened. As rivulets of liquid metal dribbled into the dirt, a beam of pure energy shot skyward. Wills and Samantha were knocked flat by the impact. The light, ice blue in color, morphed into Aurora. Her eery, agonized scream jangled the nerves of everyone within earshot. When the demon stretched her arms out of the fire pit, Wills scrambled to pull Samantha out of reach. With one last shriek, Aurora vanished and the light disappeared.
Afterward, everyone crept closer to the fire pit to examine what was left. Except for a few cooling strands of metal, no trace of the medallion remained.
Nick grinned. “Well, that is that, as they say.”
Samantha shuddered. “I hope I never have to destroy demon energy again.”
“I’m still too weak to travel, but in a few days’ time I’ll accompany Samantha and Nick back to Paloran,” Julian said. “I can only hope dealing with my father won’t be as difficult as dealing with Aurora.”
Mara laced her fingers with his. “Perhaps King Tomas will be in a better mood when we tell him our news.”
“News?” Samantha asked.
Julian’s smile lit his face. “Mara has consented to be my bride.”
“A wedding? How wonderful!” Samantha exclaimed.
Nick slapped Wills on the back. “You’ll be hitting the road for Insolitia soon, I take it?”
“Indeed I will.”
Samantha cleared her throat. “My parents will hear of your bravery and daring, Wills. I don’t know how we can ever thank you enough.”
“You saved my life as well, Princess. Seems to me we’re finally even.”
As Wills nursed a tankard of ale in the Tavern of Fae, melancholy descended. He planned to leave for Insolitia at first light, but this time he was to travel alone. Although he was looking forward to seeing Joe again, their carefree relationship would be forever altered. Good for Joe. I like Nan and I’m happy he’s found a mate. The upcoming nuptials of Prince Julian and Princess Mara were even more reason to celebrate. Then why am I so unhappy?
Nick sat down at his table with a tankard of ale. “Mind if I join you? Looks like you could use a friend.”
Wills chuckled. “I’m fine, thanks, but I welcome your company.”
“You’re not fine. Anyone can see that.”
“Lingering effects of the mud demon poison.”
“Nonsense.”
“You’ve another theory?”
“You’re in love with my cousin.”
“You’re in love with your cousin.”
“Don’t be flippant, Your Highness. I don’t deny I find Samantha exceptionally attractive. And if she showed the slightest interest in me, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”
“She’s a demon.”
“Part demon, yes. I’ve been doing a great deal of thinking about it, and I’ve come to the conclusion that what we call ‘demon’ is often just another word for elemental energy. It’s neither good nor bad, except in the hands of a black-hearted spirit like Aurora.”
“That’s absurd.”
“Is it? Well, I’m here to inform you Samantha is in love with you. If you don’t care, let’s drink up and call it a day. With the proper sort of wooing, I might even win her over in a year or two. She’s well worth the effort.”
“Mmm.” Wills took a swig of ale. “Do you think when Julian returns to Paloran, King Tomas will actually arrest his own son?”
“The king is a stubborn fellow, and quite set in his ways. I expect Julian will see the inside of a dungeon until Samantha and Mara plead his case. I’d put in a good word too, but I daresay Julian and I will be occupying a cell together.”
Nick drained his ale and tossed a few pieces of silver on the table. “Maybe I’ll see you at Julian’s wedding, if we’re out of jail by then. Perhaps Samantha and I might even be engaged.”
The wizard whistled a cheerful tune as he left the establishment. Wills suddenly felt as if he’d never be happy again. He bolted from the tavern, only to discover Nick waiting for him just outside.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Nick’s knowing smirk was irritating, but Wills ignored it. “I have a plan, but I’m going to need your help.”
The wizard bowed. “I’m at your service.”
For the first time in a long while, Samantha yearned to look and feel like a woman again. She took a long soak in a hot bath and washed her hair. As she combed the wet strands out afterward, she felt a stab of regret at its length. Maybe if I look more feminine, Wills will see me as a lady and not a demon.
In the morning, she donned a pretty pink gown borrowed from Mara, and let her hair flow around her shoulders. Despite a lack of adornment, her reflection in the looking-glass was not unattractive. She smiled. Perhaps Wills may find a reason to delay his departure after all.
Her spirits fueled by renewed hop
e, Samantha sat down with Mara and Julian for breakfast. “Where are Nicholas and Wills?”
“They left for Insolitia this morning,” Mara said.
The falling parapet at Aurora’s castle could not have crushed Samantha more thoroughly. “I see.” Her fingers twisted the napkin in her lap. “But I thought Nicholas was coming with us to Paloran.”
“Nick will return here in a few days,” Julian said. “After all that’s happened, he probably wants to kick his heels up a bit in Insolitia. I daresay he and Wills have earned the right to sow a few wild oats.”
The thought of Wills in another woman’s arms was almost too painful for Samantha to bear. “Yes, of course.”
Julian peered at her. “Are you feeling unwell, Sam? Your voice sounds raspy.”
“Actually, I’m not hungry. If you don’t mind, I’ll take a walk and enjoy the sunshine.”
As she fled from the cottage, she could hear Mara scolding her brother for speaking out of turn. Samantha couldn’t fault Julian for telling the truth, however much it pained her to hear. She left the village and headed into a field of wildflowers. Although she picked a few blooms, she took little pleasure in them. They reminded her too much of the bouquet of daisies she’d tossed into a ditch in such a dramatic fashion Wills couldn’t have failed to notice.
Emotionally overwhelmed, she sat on a hill of grass and cried until she couldn’t cry any longer. The fact that she had demon blood was only partially to blame for driving Wills away. Every insulting or sharp remark she’d ever made to him haunted her now. Her lies, arrogance, and superior manner had soured Wills on her company long before he discovered her heritage.
Her entire life she’d been trying to prove she didn’t need a man. The unvarnished truth was she couldn’t have succeeded on her quest without Wills. Forevermore she would have to live with the knowledge she’d fallen short of every mark along the way. I’m selfish, spoiled, conceited, and perhaps even prudish. I possess nothing whatsoever to tempt a man like Wills from bachelorhood. Would it have pained me so very much to be civil? She needed him desperately, but it was obvious he didn’t need her.
He’s gone and it’s my fault.
Chapter Ten
Paloran
DESPITE HER RELUCTANCE to return to the ruins of Aurora’s castle, the following day Samantha asked Julian to accompany her.
Her brother peered at her, aghast. “Why?”
“If there’s any chance to recover Wills’ sword, I want to look for it. It was a family heirloom.”
“Since it means that much to you, of course I’ll go.”
As they walked through the woods, they debated the most strategic way for him to return to Paloran.
“It’s going to be a shock, whichever way it goes,” he said. “If Father tries to have me arrested, I can always transform into a raven to escape. Mara and I will return to the Uncharted Region. She and I will be happy living amongst the Fae.”
“I’m not so sure Father won’t arrest me too. He’ll be furious when he learns I lied to him.”
“He may confine you to your room for a little while, but he won’t arrest you.”
“Perhaps not, but I won’t stay in Paloran if you’re not there.”
“Where will you go?”
“I might travel.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not in a good frame of mind to make any decisions right now.”
Julian gave her a sidelong glance. “That doesn’t sound like my brash headstrong sister!”
“I’ve learned being brash and headstrong doesn’t always serve me well.” It was an extremely costly lesson.
Since Julian was still recovering, they stopped to rest along the way. To Samantha’s delight, he grew hair on a toadstool and enchanted rocks to yodel for her amusement. Despite her reluctance, he coaxed her into trying one of his spells on a tree stump. When she caused fuzzy corkscrew curls to sprout from the bark, he chortled in laughter. “It’s wonderful to finally see you work magic, Sam. When we were children, I could tell you were suppressing it.”
“I didn’t know what I was capable of until that day in Elturon.”
“Strong emotion brings magic to the surface sometimes.”
“I was terrified.”
“I was referring to your feelings for Wills.”
“Oh.” Her smile slipped.
He cleared his throat. “I put my foot in my mouth the other day, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Julian. I bungled my relationship with Wills quite horribly and have only myself to blame.”
When they reached the site of Aurora’s castle, only the muddy moat remained to indicate anything had ever been built there. The ice had entirely melted and been absorbed into the soil. Several mud demons emerged from the muck as they approached and bowed in respect. Julian and Samantha exchanged an amused glance and bowed in return.
As he surveyed the empty site, Julian shook his head in amazement. “I can’t believe there’s nothing left.”
“I’m sorry about ruining your castle,” Samantha said. “It was very pretty.”
“The castle was Aurora’s idea, I can assure you. If I’d built it, I would have been far more original.”
A few pools of standing water marked the bottom of the moat, but Julian and Samantha managed to jump across without too much difficulty. She shuddered with the memory of what had taken place there. Nevertheless, she squared her shoulders and began to look for a glint of metal. After several minutes, it became obvious whatever personal items might have been salvageable were obscured or buried by mud.
“I’m disappointed. Not only did I hope to find Wills’ sword, but I would have liked to have my things back too.”
“Perhaps we can return to search again after a hard rain,” Julian said.
“I don’t know when I’ll be back,” she replied. “Probably never.”
A swarm of mud demons rushed past, disappeared into the soft soil, and popped out with objects in their slimy hands. They laid Samantha’s sling, the Sword of Allinar, and the mud-smeared map of the Uncharted Region at her feet.
“How absolutely marvelous!” she exclaimed. “Well done, all of you!”
The demons made rather rude razzing sound that Samantha took for giggling, and then they dove back into the moat to play.
“I still find mud demons a little frightening,” she whispered.
“I’ve always thought they were rather ugly in an endearing way.”
Samantha wiped the mud off Wills’ sword and examined the blade. “It’s badly bent. Do you think the village smithy could straighten it?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“Good. After we return home, I’ll send it to Wills by courier.” Maybe he’ll feel a little less bitter toward me then.
A winged horse—Nick—flew into the Fae village four days later, outfitted with a brand new saddle in the finest hand-tooled leather. Samantha, Julian, and Mara hastened to greet him. After he transformed into human shape, Nick hoisted the saddle to the ground and massaged his arms. “Flying has uncovered muscles I never knew I had.”
Julian laughed. “You seem to have acquired some gear.”
“Since Wills knew I’d be flying Samantha to Paloran, he had a saddle made for me,” Nick said. “It has an extra belt, for safety.”
Samantha knelt next to the saddle and ran her fingertip over the royal crest of Insolitia imprinted on the leather. “How thoughtful.”
“He also provided me with enough silver to pay his bill at the tavern.”
“I’m sure that will bring much joy to the tavern keeper,” Mara said.
“Did you enjoy your time in Insolitia?” Julian asked. “I understand the castle overlooks the ocean.”
“Indeed it’s beautifully situated with an amazing view. In addition, I met King Ewan and Queen Reesa, who were both exceedingly amiable. But I’ll admit Insolitian ale has nothing on the ale at the Tavern of the Fae.” Nick linked his arm with Samantha’s. “If you’ll excuse us, I’m going
to buy my cousin a drink.”
Nick escorted Samantha toward the tavern.
“How fares my maid, Nan?” she asked.
“The lass is married! She and Joe tied the knot in Ferryside. She sends her love.”
Her smile was wistful. “I would have liked to see Nan wed.”
Nick cocked his head. “You look different, Samantha.”
“Mara has been kind enough to lend me some of her clothes.”
“The dress is pretty, but that’s not it. You’re beautiful as always, but you seem softer somehow.” He paused. “Lucky is the man who will win your heart.”
If only you knew. She squeezed his arm. “I think your rakish demeanor is only to hide your true sweet nature, Nicholas.”
“You’ve found me out.”
The next morning was filled with preparations for the journey ahead. Julian was to transform into a raven, and Mara shifted shape into tiny faery so she could ride on his back. Samantha donned her freshly laundered trousers for the ride, but wore one of Mara’s feminine gauze tunics on top. I’m through with disguises and mannish clothes. I’ll just be myself from now on.
After Nick took his flying horse form, Julian saddled him and made sure the cinch was snug. Samantha tied her knapsack onto the saddle, and strapped the tightly wrapped Sword of Allinar across her back. After she was seated, she buckled the safety belt.
“I’m ready, I suppose, although I’m not looking forward to flying. Don’t drop me, Nick.”
He snorted in response.
Their caravan of a faery astride a raven and a princess atop a flying stallion was an unusual one. Samantha was apprehensive when Nick first took flight, but his movements were steady and strong, giving her no cause for alarm. After she was certain her stomach wouldn’t rebel, she tried to relax and enjoy the view. They passed from the Uncharted Region over the waterfall at Elturon, and into more familiar and welcoming terrain. From her lofty vantage point, farmhouses, towns, and trees were minuscule, but the fertile land stretched on seemingly forever. Overhead, wispy white clouds floated across a serene azure sky, and a pleasant breeze warmed her skin and tousled her hair.
Clash of Wills Page 10
